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Saving Ferris
For some, family comes with four paws.
When Cecilia Chandler kills a house intruder, she claims it was to save a life -- but not her own. It was the life of her golden retriever, Ferris, a dog she's only warming to after her husband's death. If it had been up to her, they would never have gotten a pet.
Police Chief Holden Owens thinks Cecilia acted lawfully, but few agree. The law says that pets are property, and that one can't use lethal force to protect property. Is his attraction to Cecilia clouding his judgment?
The prosecutor sees Cecilia's case as his ticket to a better job. He has the law on his side, and a more personal reason to want to win as well.
Now, as the case draws to a close, Cecilia is finding she needs Ferris as much as he needs her. But will she be able to stay out of prison?
Saving Ferris is a story that makes us consider what, exactly, pets mean to us.
When Cecilia Chandler kills a house intruder, she claims it was to save a life -- but not her own. It was the life of her golden retriever, Ferris, a dog she's only warming to after her husband's death. If it had been up to her, they would never have gotten a pet.
Police Chief Holden Owens thinks Cecilia acted lawfully, but few agree. The law says that pets are property, and that one can't use lethal force to protect property. Is his attraction to Cecilia clouding his judgment?
The prosecutor sees Cecilia's case as his ticket to a better job. He has the law on his side, and a more personal reason to want to win as well.
Now, as the case draws to a close, Cecilia is finding she needs Ferris as much as he needs her. But will she be able to stay out of prison?
Saving Ferris is a story that makes us consider what, exactly, pets mean to us.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2018
529 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
A.R. Kennedy
14 books351 followersA R Kennedy lives in Long Beach, New York, with her two pups. She works hard to put food on the floor for them. As her favorite T-shirt says, ‘I work so my dog can have a better life'. She’s an avid traveler. But don’t worry. While she’s away, her parents dote on their grand-puppies even more than she does. Her writing is a combination of her love of travel, animals, and the journey we all take to find ourselves.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
July 17, 2020
Brilliant story.
The story starts with Celia who has just lost her husband and Celia is being comforted by Ferris, her dog.
At that time a man trespasses the house and Celia is injured badly. After that Celia manages to shoot the trespasser to save Ferris.
The story deals with the aftermath of that.
It is a gripping story which not only deals with the court actions because of Celia's actions but also because the story raises some fundamental questions in our own mind. Excellent read.
The story starts with Celia who has just lost her husband and Celia is being comforted by Ferris, her dog.
At that time a man trespasses the house and Celia is injured badly. After that Celia manages to shoot the trespasser to save Ferris.
The story deals with the aftermath of that.
It is a gripping story which not only deals with the court actions because of Celia's actions but also because the story raises some fundamental questions in our own mind. Excellent read.
August 26, 2020
Very sweet book. As a dog mom I know I would do anything to save my “kids”. They are definitely family and not property,so this was a very relatable book for me.
April 8, 2019
Loved it
I'm a sucker for a good dog tale and enjoyed this one .I would have enjoyed it more with what appeared to be a rushed conclusion .
I'm a sucker for a good dog tale and enjoyed this one .I would have enjoyed it more with what appeared to be a rushed conclusion .
May 25, 2019
http://openbooksociety.com/article/sa...
Saving Ferris
By A.R. Kennedy
ISBN1718150709 (ISBN13: 9781718150706)
Author website: https://www.arkennedyauthor.com/
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer jerjen
Synopsis:
Is your pet family or property?
When Cecilia’s husband dies, she’s forced to become his dog’s caregiver, something she does not immediately warm to. But when Ferris’s life is threatened by an intruder, she shoots the intruder to save the golden retriever.
Police Chief Holden Owens thinks Cecilia acted lawfully, in self defense, but few agree. In the eyes of the law, one can use lethal force to protect themselves and others, but not property. Pets are considered property.
Holden loses his fight with the prosecutor, and is now in a new fight—his undeniable attraction to Cecilia. Prosecutor Daniel Briscoe is seeking justice for the intruder, who is also the mayor’s nephew, while seeing a case to further his career. Celebrity defense attorney Wyatt Sewell identifies a sympathetic defendant, a case he can win, and a way to garner more acclaim. When he learns of Cecilia’s motive, to save Ferris, he sees a blockbuster case that can set legal precedent.
Cecilia endures a murder trial where her defense attorney forces everyone to ask themselves, Is your pet property or family?
Will saving Ferris’s life cost Cecilia her freedom? And a second chance at love? (Goodreads)
Review:
All I can say is “WOW”. I thought this book was so good, one of the best I have ever read. Sometimes when you read a book, something just clicks and you fall in love with it. That is what happened when I read Saving Ferris. I am very sad that I have finished reading it, I wanted it to last longer.
When Cecelia and Joey got married, she thought that they would grow old together. They got a dog and she had visions of children to go along with Ferris, their Golden Retriever. But all of that changes when Joey is killed in a construction site accident. Now it is just her, Ferris and their memories.
Cecilia is attacked at her home and she just barely escapes. She grabs a gun and wants to scare the intruder off. When the attacker hurts Ferris, the only family she has left, she shoots and ends up killing the intruder. She was protecting her “family” and, although she felt terrible about it, she did not expect to be charged with 2nd degree murder. But that is what happens and what follows is the trial of the century. I found it very fascinating to see how the trial lawyers prepared for the case and all of the preparations and procedures that happen during a trial.
While I was reading it I wanted to go to the back of the book to see how it would turn out. I am glad that I didn’t. The tension kept building with each chapter that I finished and I wanted to keep reading instead of doing anything else.
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. You can tell how heartbroken Cecelia is over losing Joey and all of her dreams. And after the attack her whole world falls apart again. Police Chief Holden Owens does not think that Cecelia should be charged with a crime and he befriends her as best as he can since he is the arresting officer.
The writing flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. I liked the fact that some of the chapters were “then”, giving us insight into Cecelia and Joey’s lives before the accident. It was a very effective way to let the reader know their history and how Ferris joined their family.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted suspense read. This is a must read for all dog lovers. Like I said before, this is one of the best books I have ever read.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Saving Ferris
By A.R. Kennedy
ISBN1718150709 (ISBN13: 9781718150706)
Author website: https://www.arkennedyauthor.com/
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer jerjen
Synopsis:
Is your pet family or property?
When Cecilia’s husband dies, she’s forced to become his dog’s caregiver, something she does not immediately warm to. But when Ferris’s life is threatened by an intruder, she shoots the intruder to save the golden retriever.
Police Chief Holden Owens thinks Cecilia acted lawfully, in self defense, but few agree. In the eyes of the law, one can use lethal force to protect themselves and others, but not property. Pets are considered property.
Holden loses his fight with the prosecutor, and is now in a new fight—his undeniable attraction to Cecilia. Prosecutor Daniel Briscoe is seeking justice for the intruder, who is also the mayor’s nephew, while seeing a case to further his career. Celebrity defense attorney Wyatt Sewell identifies a sympathetic defendant, a case he can win, and a way to garner more acclaim. When he learns of Cecilia’s motive, to save Ferris, he sees a blockbuster case that can set legal precedent.
Cecilia endures a murder trial where her defense attorney forces everyone to ask themselves, Is your pet property or family?
Will saving Ferris’s life cost Cecilia her freedom? And a second chance at love? (Goodreads)
Review:
All I can say is “WOW”. I thought this book was so good, one of the best I have ever read. Sometimes when you read a book, something just clicks and you fall in love with it. That is what happened when I read Saving Ferris. I am very sad that I have finished reading it, I wanted it to last longer.
When Cecelia and Joey got married, she thought that they would grow old together. They got a dog and she had visions of children to go along with Ferris, their Golden Retriever. But all of that changes when Joey is killed in a construction site accident. Now it is just her, Ferris and their memories.
Cecilia is attacked at her home and she just barely escapes. She grabs a gun and wants to scare the intruder off. When the attacker hurts Ferris, the only family she has left, she shoots and ends up killing the intruder. She was protecting her “family” and, although she felt terrible about it, she did not expect to be charged with 2nd degree murder. But that is what happens and what follows is the trial of the century. I found it very fascinating to see how the trial lawyers prepared for the case and all of the preparations and procedures that happen during a trial.
While I was reading it I wanted to go to the back of the book to see how it would turn out. I am glad that I didn’t. The tension kept building with each chapter that I finished and I wanted to keep reading instead of doing anything else.
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. You can tell how heartbroken Cecelia is over losing Joey and all of her dreams. And after the attack her whole world falls apart again. Police Chief Holden Owens does not think that Cecelia should be charged with a crime and he befriends her as best as he can since he is the arresting officer.
The writing flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. I liked the fact that some of the chapters were “then”, giving us insight into Cecelia and Joey’s lives before the accident. It was a very effective way to let the reader know their history and how Ferris joined their family.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted suspense read. This is a must read for all dog lovers. Like I said before, this is one of the best books I have ever read.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
May 30, 2020
Breath of fresh air
No foul language. No sex scenes -- just the pull of a quiet underlying attraction. Well developed story line; believable; well developed characters. A rare find in a world of books where it seems writers think readers live for sex, sexual innuendos, and cursing and filthy language (does anyone think "this book didn't have foul language. I'm not going to read anything else by this author"?) and that with enough of these things, a good story line is unnecessary. There were a few grammatical issues (more as the book neared the end) that most probably would have been caught with tighter proof reading. None of the errors were chronic. I really look forward to more of this quality writing from this author.
No foul language. No sex scenes -- just the pull of a quiet underlying attraction. Well developed story line; believable; well developed characters. A rare find in a world of books where it seems writers think readers live for sex, sexual innuendos, and cursing and filthy language (does anyone think "this book didn't have foul language. I'm not going to read anything else by this author"?) and that with enough of these things, a good story line is unnecessary. There were a few grammatical issues (more as the book neared the end) that most probably would have been caught with tighter proof reading. None of the errors were chronic. I really look forward to more of this quality writing from this author.
January 12, 2025
GREAT...
I read this because I have a dog of my own...plus a cat. I call them my fur babies. I believe they are more than property and would defend them with an extreme measure also.
This was a good story with a happy ending..which is great. But...I noticed some key points were left out that could have helped during the trial. Maybe this was intentional, to not make the story boring with too much legal speak. Or it could have been to highlight the lack of notice that Cecelia was given from her attorney. I mean, Cecelia was basically used and abused by her attorney and defense team. They overtake her home, then moved in...without notice...when kicked out of the local hotel. She was asked a few questions initially then was barred from the room and shoved in a corner until she was deemed necessary to speak with. That did tick me off. It's just a good thing her case was won.
But, Cecelia took it all in stride. The "Ice Queen" showed more heart than anyone...even under her dire circumstances. Michael was set up with a designer wardrobe and was given a steal of a deal on Joe's truck. Abigail got the job she was yearning for. Then, her attorney got a bigger head and a ton of accolades.
What I found laughable is that Abigail felt the need to buy Cecilia new clothes to wear in court. If she had stopped to ask what Cecilia had in her closet or even snuck a peek she would have no longer felt the need. That is, after she picked her jaw off the floor. She thought Michael was fortuitous with his new attire. Well, she would have been begging Cecilia for hers.
I mean, just because a person dresses a certain way. It doesn't mean that they don't own better. She was judged harshly by the very people who were supposed to be helping her. But, what do they really care...They were only there because they were getting paid by her, right?
I mean give the woman a break. She was still in mourning and facing jail time. She should have been able to wear leggings and one of her husband's shirts in her own home... Or for the rest of her life if she really wanted to. They acted like she was supposed to dress to impress them...like she should pop out of bed with a bright smile and dressed to entertain them.
I don't know why I felt the need to go on an on about that....but I did. Lol.
As for Ferris...he was just a big lovable, huggable bundle of silliness of a dog. Just the kind of dog Cecilia needed to bring a smile to her face every day. He gave her a reason to get out of the bed every morning. Sometimes that is what most of us need when we are depressed.
I read this because I have a dog of my own...plus a cat. I call them my fur babies. I believe they are more than property and would defend them with an extreme measure also.
This was a good story with a happy ending..which is great. But...I noticed some key points were left out that could have helped during the trial. Maybe this was intentional, to not make the story boring with too much legal speak. Or it could have been to highlight the lack of notice that Cecelia was given from her attorney. I mean, Cecelia was basically used and abused by her attorney and defense team. They overtake her home, then moved in...without notice...when kicked out of the local hotel. She was asked a few questions initially then was barred from the room and shoved in a corner until she was deemed necessary to speak with. That did tick me off. It's just a good thing her case was won.
But, Cecelia took it all in stride. The "Ice Queen" showed more heart than anyone...even under her dire circumstances. Michael was set up with a designer wardrobe and was given a steal of a deal on Joe's truck. Abigail got the job she was yearning for. Then, her attorney got a bigger head and a ton of accolades.
What I found laughable is that Abigail felt the need to buy Cecilia new clothes to wear in court. If she had stopped to ask what Cecilia had in her closet or even snuck a peek she would have no longer felt the need. That is, after she picked her jaw off the floor. She thought Michael was fortuitous with his new attire. Well, she would have been begging Cecilia for hers.
I mean, just because a person dresses a certain way. It doesn't mean that they don't own better. She was judged harshly by the very people who were supposed to be helping her. But, what do they really care...They were only there because they were getting paid by her, right?
I mean give the woman a break. She was still in mourning and facing jail time. She should have been able to wear leggings and one of her husband's shirts in her own home... Or for the rest of her life if she really wanted to. They acted like she was supposed to dress to impress them...like she should pop out of bed with a bright smile and dressed to entertain them.
I don't know why I felt the need to go on an on about that....but I did. Lol.
As for Ferris...he was just a big lovable, huggable bundle of silliness of a dog. Just the kind of dog Cecilia needed to bring a smile to her face every day. He gave her a reason to get out of the bed every morning. Sometimes that is what most of us need when we are depressed.
November 28, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It was well-written, original and sweet.
However.... it was NOT a romance. The main characters have less than 10 (totally platonic and boring) encounters, do not even discuss being together and have no chemistry whatsoever. We see them enjoy a sunset in the epilogue together but we are not shown how they got to that point considering that they only barely speak during the book.
In addition, both main characters are not really endearing. The female character is portrayed as being judged cold and unfeeling by the entire town, and while she does in fact thaw towards the dog during the book and there is a moving scene at the end of the trial involving the dog, she IS actually cold and unapproachable, and her feelings are not adequately expressed in such a way as to make us love her. And yet... she is heaps better than Holden, the supposed hero. What can I say about Holden? He is a totally dumb and unprofessional policeman, he investigates nothing and berates his subordinate (Pugliesi, the only interesting character in my opinion) when he wants to find something out related to the case. He is a coward who hides his interactions with the heroine all throughout the book, and never stands up to the prosecutor, going as far as illegally postponing the arrest of the heroine’s brother in law who is implicated in her attempted rape because it could mess up the prosecutor’s case against her (even while he supposedly doesn’t agree with the prosecutors case). Basically, he is a shitty policeman and a shitty man, does nothing all throughout the book and I really don’t understand what she sees in him.
However.... it was NOT a romance. The main characters have less than 10 (totally platonic and boring) encounters, do not even discuss being together and have no chemistry whatsoever. We see them enjoy a sunset in the epilogue together but we are not shown how they got to that point considering that they only barely speak during the book.
In addition, both main characters are not really endearing. The female character is portrayed as being judged cold and unfeeling by the entire town, and while she does in fact thaw towards the dog during the book and there is a moving scene at the end of the trial involving the dog, she IS actually cold and unapproachable, and her feelings are not adequately expressed in such a way as to make us love her. And yet... she is heaps better than Holden, the supposed hero. What can I say about Holden? He is a totally dumb and unprofessional policeman, he investigates nothing and berates his subordinate (Pugliesi, the only interesting character in my opinion) when he wants to find something out related to the case. He is a coward who hides his interactions with the heroine all throughout the book, and never stands up to the prosecutor, going as far as illegally postponing the arrest of the heroine’s brother in law who is implicated in her attempted rape because it could mess up the prosecutor’s case against her (even while he supposedly doesn’t agree with the prosecutors case). Basically, he is a shitty policeman and a shitty man, does nothing all throughout the book and I really don’t understand what she sees in him.
December 3, 2019
What a great page turner of a wonderful will she wont she story!
I started this book and didn't realise the time of day till 3 hours or so had passed!
Celia suddenly widowed and still in shock and disbelief was woken by Ferris - Joey her beloved husbands dog - who now was not only her only comfort and company was ' her' dog.
Awoken by Ferris's unsettled whimpering Cecilia looked out of her window but couldn't see anything and Ferris trying to get out of the bedroom she allowed him to go where he needed. Once in the kitchen Ferris was very agitated, after she opened the door the motion sensor lit up the back yard where there was an attacker whom heavily disguised grabbed Celia and got her to the ground!! Being terrified she had to lie quiet while her attacker felt her all over after beating her and sending her life was in danger managed to kick him where it hurt. He realeases her and she ran into her husband's study fiddled with the safe to access the gun and ran back out to find him with a knife to, Ferris's throat and blood pouring out from a wound she aimed a shot to,frighten the attacker off Ferris.l
Police were on scene quickly after reports of a shot being fired.
The prosecutor demanded she be charged with 2nd degree murder - but the out of control nephew of the Mayor was the attacker/ victim who'd been shot - hired by Celia's brother in law who wanted the family business her husband and late father in law had willed to Celia and not Joey's sister ......!
The case being tried had caught the attention of media around the states - will she or wont be charged..........????
I started this book and didn't realise the time of day till 3 hours or so had passed!
Celia suddenly widowed and still in shock and disbelief was woken by Ferris - Joey her beloved husbands dog - who now was not only her only comfort and company was ' her' dog.
Awoken by Ferris's unsettled whimpering Cecilia looked out of her window but couldn't see anything and Ferris trying to get out of the bedroom she allowed him to go where he needed. Once in the kitchen Ferris was very agitated, after she opened the door the motion sensor lit up the back yard where there was an attacker whom heavily disguised grabbed Celia and got her to the ground!! Being terrified she had to lie quiet while her attacker felt her all over after beating her and sending her life was in danger managed to kick him where it hurt. He realeases her and she ran into her husband's study fiddled with the safe to access the gun and ran back out to find him with a knife to, Ferris's throat and blood pouring out from a wound she aimed a shot to,frighten the attacker off Ferris.l
Police were on scene quickly after reports of a shot being fired.
The prosecutor demanded she be charged with 2nd degree murder - but the out of control nephew of the Mayor was the attacker/ victim who'd been shot - hired by Celia's brother in law who wanted the family business her husband and late father in law had willed to Celia and not Joey's sister ......!
The case being tried had caught the attention of media around the states - will she or wont be charged..........????
December 15, 2019
How far would you go to save the life of beloved pet? That’s the defining premise of Saving Ferris.
Cecilia Chandler never wanted a dog and Ferris was not a dog that ‘just anyone’ would love. The golden retriever was clumsy and inattentive and a service school failure, but her husband brought him home and Cecilia could never deny Joey anything. Not when he wanted it that much.
When Joey is killed in a construction accident, Ferris and Cecilia have only each other and an unbreakable bond is formed. Less than a year later Cecilia is brutally attacked in her home and her would-be rapist uses a knife to cut her clothing—and her. Cecilia fights him off long enough to retrieve the gun from her husband’s safe, only to find her attacker has turned the knife on Ferris. Cecilia is not going to lose the only thing she has left to love—and she shoots.
I found the characters very real in their imperfections. I cared about them, not just Cecilia and Ferris, but the police chief who is attracted to Cecilia and his deputy who is suspicious of her, as well as the high-profile defense attorney who swoops in to continue his career-building. The court case in this small-town setting is well-drawn.
Ms. Kennedy has a succinct writing style, which I appreciate, and makes good use of flashbacks without overuse. I did note some procedural flaws during the investigation of the attack on Cecilia and the shooting death of her attacker but they didn’t detract from my investment in the story. I’ll look for more stories by Ms. Kennedy and I give this one 4.5 stars but only because I thought the procedural flaws—if intentional—should have been mentioned. Otherwise, a solid 5 stars.
Cecilia Chandler never wanted a dog and Ferris was not a dog that ‘just anyone’ would love. The golden retriever was clumsy and inattentive and a service school failure, but her husband brought him home and Cecilia could never deny Joey anything. Not when he wanted it that much.
When Joey is killed in a construction accident, Ferris and Cecilia have only each other and an unbreakable bond is formed. Less than a year later Cecilia is brutally attacked in her home and her would-be rapist uses a knife to cut her clothing—and her. Cecilia fights him off long enough to retrieve the gun from her husband’s safe, only to find her attacker has turned the knife on Ferris. Cecilia is not going to lose the only thing she has left to love—and she shoots.
I found the characters very real in their imperfections. I cared about them, not just Cecilia and Ferris, but the police chief who is attracted to Cecilia and his deputy who is suspicious of her, as well as the high-profile defense attorney who swoops in to continue his career-building. The court case in this small-town setting is well-drawn.
Ms. Kennedy has a succinct writing style, which I appreciate, and makes good use of flashbacks without overuse. I did note some procedural flaws during the investigation of the attack on Cecilia and the shooting death of her attacker but they didn’t detract from my investment in the story. I’ll look for more stories by Ms. Kennedy and I give this one 4.5 stars but only because I thought the procedural flaws—if intentional—should have been mentioned. Otherwise, a solid 5 stars.
September 10, 2018
Would you do anything to stop someone from harming your beloved pet? I know I would! Cecilia's husband was killed in a workplace accident-leaving her a widow with virtually no friends in the town they lived and with his golden retriever. It was one of those towns where if you weren't born there--well--you didn't belong.
Cecilia was brutally attacked by one of the town's really bad boys-but who put him up to it?-and when she managed to escape his grasp-he put a knife to her dogs throat. Now Cecelia had only shot a gun once in her life--but she managed to get her husband's gun and shoot the guy. Of course the police were called and they got there pretty quickly. They did not arrest Cecilia then--she was taken to the hospital and the local vet came and took the dog immediately to his office.
Then the unthinkable happened--Cecilia was charged with 2nd degree murder. Hey--this was self defense wasn't it? Well it seems not in that county.
Your heart will pound as the courtroom drama plays out----does she get exonerated or not?
Every animal lover will appreciate this book and I sincerely hope you will read it--it is beautifully written and the characters compelling.
The Author sent me the mobi edition of this book for enjoyment purposes. All opinions are my own.
Saving Ferris
Cecilia was brutally attacked by one of the town's really bad boys-but who put him up to it?-and when she managed to escape his grasp-he put a knife to her dogs throat. Now Cecelia had only shot a gun once in her life--but she managed to get her husband's gun and shoot the guy. Of course the police were called and they got there pretty quickly. They did not arrest Cecilia then--she was taken to the hospital and the local vet came and took the dog immediately to his office.
Then the unthinkable happened--Cecilia was charged with 2nd degree murder. Hey--this was self defense wasn't it? Well it seems not in that county.
Your heart will pound as the courtroom drama plays out----does she get exonerated or not?
Every animal lover will appreciate this book and I sincerely hope you will read it--it is beautifully written and the characters compelling.
The Author sent me the mobi edition of this book for enjoyment purposes. All opinions are my own.
Saving Ferris
March 10, 2019
Right from the start, I was HOOKED. It starts out right on the "action" and the timeline changes (where we bounce from present to memories) work in its favor to build not only her case, but our faith in the character. Second, but really first, PETS ARE NOT PROPERTY...they are family...but that is exactly what comes into play when push comes to shove and an unintentional line is crossed. Third, the audacity of the lawyer types and what not to use her case to build their reps and careers. The fact that it was even being called anything less than self defense and/or defense of Ferris had be totally wanting to crawl through the pages to throttle someone.
One thing I didn't get was actually a character and his choice of actions...to put a point on it, or rather give them a name...Pug. Now that I've finished the book, I see the reasons behind it, and while I'm still not on the up and up with his character, I can at least respect him a little bit.
All in all, it was SO GOOD! I admit it, I was teetering on the edge the whole time. I couldn't clearly see whether they would find her guilty or see reason, but that's a GOOD thing because a suspense novel that spills its literary guts before the big reveal can be less than pleasant. Also, the last scenes had me in tears, so yeah...bring the tissues.
**ecopy received for review; opinions are my own
One thing I didn't get was actually a character and his choice of actions...to put a point on it, or rather give them a name...Pug. Now that I've finished the book, I see the reasons behind it, and while I'm still not on the up and up with his character, I can at least respect him a little bit.
All in all, it was SO GOOD! I admit it, I was teetering on the edge the whole time. I couldn't clearly see whether they would find her guilty or see reason, but that's a GOOD thing because a suspense novel that spills its literary guts before the big reveal can be less than pleasant. Also, the last scenes had me in tears, so yeah...bring the tissues.
**ecopy received for review; opinions are my own
September 22, 2021
Saving Ferris is about a young woman love for her pet. Cecilia Chandler did not think her life would get any worse after her husband died. However, she was wrong. When she found an intruder in her home, Cecilia protecting her dog, Ferris, killed the intruder. Police Chief Holden Owens believes Cecilia killing of the intruder was lawful. However, other law enforcement officers and the law thought differently. The prosecutor used Cecilia case to improve his job prospects and charge her with murder. The readers of Saving Ferris will continue to follow Cecilia to find out what happens.
Saving Ferris is the first book I read by Cecilia Chandler. I engaged with Saving Ferris from the first page, and I will read more books written by her. Saving Ferris is an enjoyable sweet romance to read when you need to chill out for a while and immerse yourself in a book. Saving Ferris is well written and researched by Cecilia Chandler. I love Saving Ferris portrayal of the characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. I like Cecilia Chandler's description of Saving Ferris settings, which allows me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Saving Ferris will understand the importance of pets for people. Also, the readers of Saving Ferris will learn about Golden Retrievers and their lovely, affectionately nature.
I recommend this book.
Saving Ferris is the first book I read by Cecilia Chandler. I engaged with Saving Ferris from the first page, and I will read more books written by her. Saving Ferris is an enjoyable sweet romance to read when you need to chill out for a while and immerse yourself in a book. Saving Ferris is well written and researched by Cecilia Chandler. I love Saving Ferris portrayal of the characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. I like Cecilia Chandler's description of Saving Ferris settings, which allows me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Saving Ferris will understand the importance of pets for people. Also, the readers of Saving Ferris will learn about Golden Retrievers and their lovely, affectionately nature.
I recommend this book.
December 7, 2019
“Saving Ferris” by A.R. Kennedy
“My first A.R. Kennedy book makes me want to read more! Well written, thought-provoking, emotional. Anyone with a pet should read this. Anyone without a pet should, too! 5 stars-Green Gables Book Reviews
“Saving Ferris” starts out strong and just keeps going!
Cecilia wakes to Ferris needing to go outside in the middle of the night. Joey’s not there. Then, she remembers why. He died. She’s alone, with Ferris. She loves and needs Ferris more now than ever. She can’t believe there was a time Ferris wasn’t important to her.
She lives in the country-will she ever get used to it? She takes Ferris out on a leash. No squirrel chasing for him tonight.
The attack is unexpected and brutal. Hitting. Bleeding. Hurting. Fear. Darkness. A belt being removed. A knee making contact. Get away. Get safe! A knife. Ferris! A gun. Darkness.
The legal battle that follows puts the rest of CeCe’s life on the line. And, all she worries about is Ferris. What will happen to Ferris if she goes to jail?
Is anyone in this small town on her side? It seems like one person is. But, what will happen when the Chief is put on the Witness stand?
“My first A.R. Kennedy book makes me want to read more! Well written, thought-provoking, emotional. Anyone with a pet should read this. Anyone without a pet should, too! 5 stars-Green Gables Book Reviews
“Saving Ferris” starts out strong and just keeps going!
Cecilia wakes to Ferris needing to go outside in the middle of the night. Joey’s not there. Then, she remembers why. He died. She’s alone, with Ferris. She loves and needs Ferris more now than ever. She can’t believe there was a time Ferris wasn’t important to her.
She lives in the country-will she ever get used to it? She takes Ferris out on a leash. No squirrel chasing for him tonight.
The attack is unexpected and brutal. Hitting. Bleeding. Hurting. Fear. Darkness. A belt being removed. A knee making contact. Get away. Get safe! A knife. Ferris! A gun. Darkness.
The legal battle that follows puts the rest of CeCe’s life on the line. And, all she worries about is Ferris. What will happen to Ferris if she goes to jail?
Is anyone in this small town on her side? It seems like one person is. But, what will happen when the Chief is put on the Witness stand?
May 19, 2019
After reading the description for this book, I just had to read it, and it did not disappoint. I am a big time animal lover, and this means I'll protect them as if they are my family (which in my eyes they are). This is what happens in this book. Cecilia's husband dies, and she is left to care for his dog. When an intruder breaks in she shoots him to protect herself and her dog, Ferris. Now she's on trial for murder, and the big question is if the pet is property or family? Will she lose her freedom because of her actions, for protecting herself and her "family"? Along with this journey she finds hope and peace in an unlikely friend.
This story was excellent start to finish. It was an action-packed and thought-provoking read. I feel for Cecilia. From widow to murder suspect in a few months, time is a lot for anyone. I don't know what else to say about this book without ruining it with spoilers. All I can say is that it is written very well. It has a great set of characters and an awesome storyline. It is definitely worth the read. Honestly, I loved it.
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This story was excellent start to finish. It was an action-packed and thought-provoking read. I feel for Cecilia. From widow to murder suspect in a few months, time is a lot for anyone. I don't know what else to say about this book without ruining it with spoilers. All I can say is that it is written very well. It has a great set of characters and an awesome storyline. It is definitely worth the read. Honestly, I loved it.
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February 24, 2020
This is my first book to read by this author. I liked everything about this book: the characters, the plot, the author’s style. It’s a book that once you start it’s very difficult to put down. The story is quite simple: city woman moves to the hick town of her husband to run the family business. Husband dies suddenly leaving Cecelia to run the business, the family home, and his dog Ferris. Cecelia is very distraught and has been having a very difficult time in living with reality. Ferris actually got her to start facing reality again plus Ferris reminded her of Joey, her deceased husband. Slowly Ferris becomes a very important part of her new life. Her life changed radically when an intruder attempts to rape her and kill Ferris. The town prosecutor charges her with second degree murder. The rest of the book details the trial but gives insight to the personalities of all the characters involved. Cecelia shot and killed the intruder who held a knife to Ferris and wounded him.
July 20, 2019
This book has a very provocative subject. Basically, is your pet part of the family or property? When Cecilia's husband died, she became their Golden Retriever's caretaker. At first she wasn't a huge fan of Ferris, but as time went on, she fell in love with him. When the town "bad boy" attacked and tried to rape her in her own backyard, she got the gun, found that he now had Ferris at knife point, and when he cut the dog's neck she shot. Basically the book is about the entire argument of family or property.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was not only well written, but the characters were human. It's interesting how a trial can become a media circus with protesters and complete out of control strong opinions. I will read more oa A. R. Kennedy's books.
I won this book, all opinions are mine.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was not only well written, but the characters were human. It's interesting how a trial can become a media circus with protesters and complete out of control strong opinions. I will read more oa A. R. Kennedy's books.
I won this book, all opinions are mine.
December 8, 2019
DNF @ 52%. I want a strong plot, well-developed characters, and good writing. Saving Ferris ticked only the first box. At the beginning, the heroine shoots someone to save her dog; that drew me in. But the story quickly filled with caricatures: a politically minded prosecutor so simplistic as to be unbelievable, a deputy bent on bringing down the heroine because she’s an outsider, a sister who doesn’t remember to mention someone close to them died. And the writing? It whacks the show-don’t-tell mantra on the head with a hammer. Instead of something like, “’Don’t argue with me,’ he said, his volume rising with each angry word,” the author chose: he screamed, he shouted, he screamed, he yelled, he spat, he screamed. You get the idea. The plot alone was not enough to keep me reading.
August 11, 2020
It's hard to go wrong with a dog story and I really enjoyed the unique angle of this one. Really gets you thinking about the whole family vs property definition when it comes to pets. Naturally, as pet owners we tend to think of them as family members without question. Until this story I was not even all that familiar with / gave much thought to the idea of laws out there that might contradict that, that a person might face jail time for protecting (through the use of guns) what the law deems as property (one defining characteristic is the ability to buy pets in shops, making them seen as property rather than cherished family members), when the person sees the pet as family. Well written, and heartwarming growth in the bond between Cecilia and Ferris.
November 12, 2020
Heartwarming story of justice
Who doesn't love a story involving a gorgeous dog? A heartbroken widow trying to get used to being without her husband and have his dog Ferris as her sole companion really pulls at the heart strings. One night she is attacked at home and shoots the intruder when Ferris is threatened. The complication is that in the eyes of the law it isn't self defense to protect property - which is what a pet is classed as, even though they are family.
Although there were a few grammatical errors, I still give this story 5 stars as it held my interest throughout, was well paced and the characters were interesting and varied. I will be keeping an eye out for more stories from this author.
Who doesn't love a story involving a gorgeous dog? A heartbroken widow trying to get used to being without her husband and have his dog Ferris as her sole companion really pulls at the heart strings. One night she is attacked at home and shoots the intruder when Ferris is threatened. The complication is that in the eyes of the law it isn't self defense to protect property - which is what a pet is classed as, even though they are family.
Although there were a few grammatical errors, I still give this story 5 stars as it held my interest throughout, was well paced and the characters were interesting and varied. I will be keeping an eye out for more stories from this author.
November 24, 2019
This is a book you won't want to put down.
When widow Cece shots and kills a just turned 18 year old young man she never thought her life could be any worse when a year before she lost her husband to an accident. Boy was she wrong, during the attack from the young man she had broken ribs, a head injury and other bruises and cuts. The worse part of the whole mess is that she shot 1 time and hit the attacker with a kill shot to his head.
This story is a very touching one about the love a women has for the dog she didn't want but after her husband is dead she really turns out to love him.
When widow Cece shots and kills a just turned 18 year old young man she never thought her life could be any worse when a year before she lost her husband to an accident. Boy was she wrong, during the attack from the young man she had broken ribs, a head injury and other bruises and cuts. The worse part of the whole mess is that she shot 1 time and hit the attacker with a kill shot to his head.
This story is a very touching one about the love a women has for the dog she didn't want but after her husband is dead she really turns out to love him.
January 10, 2020
As a woman and an animal lover this story took my emotions in every direction...
I admit there were parts of this story that were harder to read than others, but the combination of all the parts made this a good story. It showed me new ways to look at things... I honestly didn't realize that our pets are property under the law. That's pretty hard for me to swallow. I would consider this a clean story, with the exception that it describes an attempted rape and animal abuse. Descriptions are graphic but, at least in my opinion, not offensively so. I was pleased with the HEA but you'll need to read this book for yourself to see if you agree.
I admit there were parts of this story that were harder to read than others, but the combination of all the parts made this a good story. It showed me new ways to look at things... I honestly didn't realize that our pets are property under the law. That's pretty hard for me to swallow. I would consider this a clean story, with the exception that it describes an attempted rape and animal abuse. Descriptions are graphic but, at least in my opinion, not offensively so. I was pleased with the HEA but you'll need to read this book for yourself to see if you agree.
July 18, 2020
For love of dogs
This story touched my heart in so many ways. Ferris was so special; he saved CeCe in so many ways after she loses her beloved husband Joey. I like how this ties into policemen and the many roles they have to play with everyday citizens. The two main policemen were very different personalities but each was willing to look at the possibility of CeCe being innocent of second degree murder. I wanted to just slap the arrogant prosecutor in this story but people in authority aren't always using their talents for good. My only complaint is how this ended; no explanation about the juries find and how it affects people close to the trial and the town CeCe live in.
This story touched my heart in so many ways. Ferris was so special; he saved CeCe in so many ways after she loses her beloved husband Joey. I like how this ties into policemen and the many roles they have to play with everyday citizens. The two main policemen were very different personalities but each was willing to look at the possibility of CeCe being innocent of second degree murder. I wanted to just slap the arrogant prosecutor in this story but people in authority aren't always using their talents for good. My only complaint is how this ended; no explanation about the juries find and how it affects people close to the trial and the town CeCe live in.
July 26, 2020
Major kudos for a golden retriever in a starring role.
I liked the story. A typo or two did not go unnoticed, but I blame editors for this more than authors.
I think the thing keeping me from five stars is a few too many implausibilities. She shouldn’t have been charged. She shouldn’t have been ankle monitored. The chief shouldn’t have been sneaking over to see her. The case shouldn’t have gone to trial. The prosecutor shouldn’t have withheld evidence.
Throw in a few potentially interesting side stories that were underdeveloped, and we’re left with an imperfect book.
But the golden retriever deserves four stars, at least.
I liked the story. A typo or two did not go unnoticed, but I blame editors for this more than authors.
I think the thing keeping me from five stars is a few too many implausibilities. She shouldn’t have been charged. She shouldn’t have been ankle monitored. The chief shouldn’t have been sneaking over to see her. The case shouldn’t have gone to trial. The prosecutor shouldn’t have withheld evidence.
Throw in a few potentially interesting side stories that were underdeveloped, and we’re left with an imperfect book.
But the golden retriever deserves four stars, at least.
November 24, 2019
Cecilia Fights For Her Life
Cecilia was a city girl until her husband moved her to his favorite small town. After he unexpectedly died she stayed to be near where she'd last seen him. She took over his house, his company, and his dog. When she was attacked in the night, the dog tried to help her. When the person attacked and threatened the dog with his knife, she fired the gun her husband had told her to use to defend herself. She was shocked to later learn that she had killed him and was arrested for murder!
Cecilia was a city girl until her husband moved her to his favorite small town. After he unexpectedly died she stayed to be near where she'd last seen him. She took over his house, his company, and his dog. When she was attacked in the night, the dog tried to help her. When the person attacked and threatened the dog with his knife, she fired the gun her husband had told her to use to defend herself. She was shocked to later learn that she had killed him and was arrested for murder!
July 31, 2020
A surprisingly wonderful read!
This book was a wonderful surprise to me! I try not to judge a book by its cover, but it had a dog, and it grabbed me, so I decided to give it a read. Well, I’m really glad I did because it is a really good read. It’s a story about a small town, and life in this small town as seen and experienced by an outsider. But it’s so much more. It has love, life, death, and more love. It defines whether animals are property or family, and it has a trial. Give it a read, and hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I did.
This book was a wonderful surprise to me! I try not to judge a book by its cover, but it had a dog, and it grabbed me, so I decided to give it a read. Well, I’m really glad I did because it is a really good read. It’s a story about a small town, and life in this small town as seen and experienced by an outsider. But it’s so much more. It has love, life, death, and more love. It defines whether animals are property or family, and it has a trial. Give it a read, and hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I did.
July 6, 2019
GREAT READ
What an awesome story. Saving Ferris is just the story for dog lovers. Animals need us to protect them the way we protect our children. The love of a pet is the purest form of unconditional love. They love you even when you get angry at them for doing something wrong. When you lose a pet the grief is as bad as losing any other family member. I would recommend this story to any reader. It is awesome!
What an awesome story. Saving Ferris is just the story for dog lovers. Animals need us to protect them the way we protect our children. The love of a pet is the purest form of unconditional love. They love you even when you get angry at them for doing something wrong. When you lose a pet the grief is as bad as losing any other family member. I would recommend this story to any reader. It is awesome!
November 22, 2019
A tremendous drama that had me hooked from the beginning.
I had just finished a totally forgettable book when Saving Ferris appeared as a freebie in my inbox. A quick download and, 'I'll just see if this is any good". Any good! It is excellent. I didn't mean to spend all evening and into the early hours reading, but I did. Can't recommend this enough, grab it while it's free, or pay, you won't be disappointed.
I had just finished a totally forgettable book when Saving Ferris appeared as a freebie in my inbox. A quick download and, 'I'll just see if this is any good". Any good! It is excellent. I didn't mean to spend all evening and into the early hours reading, but I did. Can't recommend this enough, grab it while it's free, or pay, you won't be disappointed.
November 26, 2019
I have two large dogs that rule the house and I would probably do the same thing to save them as our leading lady. This is a tear jerker book. A young widow still grieving after nearly a year is feeling lost and living alone in a town that doesn't take to her. A small town. She has her husband's dog for company and soon comes to love him deeply. When she is violently attacked and dog's life is threatened she shoots the attacker accidentally and goes to trail. Trail is interesting.
December 11, 2019
Saving Ferris
Loved this story! It was full of feelings and warmth that is hard fo describe and there are those who never experience those feelings. What would you do to protect your family? Especially if you saw them in danger? Most of us know and would say “I’d do anything to protect and save my family!” “My dog (pet) is a member of my family!” Yes, I do have and love my dog.
Loved this story! It was full of feelings and warmth that is hard fo describe and there are those who never experience those feelings. What would you do to protect your family? Especially if you saw them in danger? Most of us know and would say “I’d do anything to protect and save my family!” “My dog (pet) is a member of my family!” Yes, I do have and love my dog.
August 2, 2020
Family
This was a great book about family. I thought it was going to be a dog book, about a dog. I was totally surprised when I began reading about a murder trial. Yes, Ferris the dog was an integral part of the story and an integral part of a family. It was beautifully written, showing the expansion of CeCe and Ferris’ family from just the two of them, to including many other people, simply because they believed Ferris was family. Definitely worth the read.
This was a great book about family. I thought it was going to be a dog book, about a dog. I was totally surprised when I began reading about a murder trial. Yes, Ferris the dog was an integral part of the story and an integral part of a family. It was beautifully written, showing the expansion of CeCe and Ferris’ family from just the two of them, to including many other people, simply because they believed Ferris was family. Definitely worth the read.
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